Core sector growth slows in March

NEW DELHI: Growth in the country’s

core sector

slowed in March as six of the

eight sectors

remained sluggish and two of them,

refinery products

and

fertilisers

, contracted.
Data released by the commerce and industry ministry on Tuesday showed the infrastructure sector spanning coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers,

steek

, cement and electricity rose an annual 5.2% in March, slower than the 7.1% recorded in the previous month but above the 4.2% posted in March last year.

For April to March, the sector grew 7.5%, slightly slower than the 7.8% recorded in 2022-23.